10 Ways Sneakers Can Make You a Better Basketball Player
Look for these features to take your game to the next level when your picking up your next basketball sneaker.
Image via Complex Original
What lengths are you willing to take to become a better basketball player? Are you willing to put in the hours in the gym, sans Kobe's wife? Are you willing to study tapes of your favorite players or, even worse, your most hated opponent in order to learn their moves? There is a deep dedication that one must internally sign-up for in order to take their game to the next level. But this dedication cannot be fully achieved without the proper equipment.
Your sneakers can say a lot about you and your game to others, but they can also tell you a lot about yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses that come solely (no pun intended) from the movement in your feet? So if there are ways something as simple as a good sneaker can improve certain deficiencies in your game, it shouldn't even be questioned if you are willing to spend the time, watch the tapes and make all the other sacrifices. Basketball sneakers are one of your first steps to make strides on the court, so here are 10 Ways Sneakers Can Make You a Better Basketball Player.
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Hold of Footbed
Best Option: Nike Hyperdunk 2013, $140
The way your foot sits in the footbed not only makes for a comfortable trip up and down the court, but it can help hold your foot in the right place when you make dynamic cuts and get you off the floor quicker. The cushioning can feel great, but if it doesn't have the proper grooves to keep your foot in place as you move, banging your toes or heel slippage can lead to banging the bench with your heel because of game slippage.
"Load N' Launch" Technology
Best Option: Athletic Propulsion Labs Concept 3, $175
When a shoe is banned by the NBA because it gives an "unfair competitive advantage," you have to take it seriously. Athletic Propulsion Labs' "Load N' Launch" technology was patented and subsequently banned by the league back in 2010 because it was proven to increase your vertical leap. There aren't many NBA players, let alone regular schmucks like yourself who wouldn't pass up adding a few inches to their vertical. These won't get burn by the pros, but that doesn't mean they won't make their mark in a Sunday night rec league.
Flexibility of the Soles
Best Option: Adidas CrazyQuick, $140
The quicker you can get off the floor, the quicker you are getting to that hoop. One way to ensure you have a share in that quickness is to make sure you have good flexibility in your soles. When your sole gives way a little more when your foot bends for vertical jumps and lateral movement, expect to get off the floor and move side-to-side a little quicker. And who doesn't want to get to the boards quicker than you?
Lacing
Best Option: Nike Air Zoom Flight Glove, $140 (Available November 22)
We've never understood how people could play basketball with improper lacing or without their shoes laced at all. Having your shoes untied negates any other feature because a loose shoe means you aren't using your sneaker to it's full potential. And if you decide to try and be cool with loose laces, expect twisted ankles or heel slippage--things real ballers try and prevent on a daily basis. Also, if you prefer unexposed laces, Gary Payton never had any trouble in his Nike Glove series
Ankle Support
Best Option:Rebook Q96 CrossExamine, $115
"Broken ankles" isn't just a malfunction leading to embarrassment on defense, it could be the end to your season. One can receive proper ankle support to mids or highs because of the stabilization from strong, yet padded ankles, but lowtops with wide, stable soles can provide just as much support, if not more. Nike Kobes were designed that way because of his affinity for soccer and the ease cleats lend to playing on the pitch. We can't say his shoes will protect your Achilles, they certainly will let your ankles reign free, yet give them the support they need to perform at your peak. And what better than to model a shoe after one of the greatest ankle breakers of our time? Complete basketball Ouroboros.
Uppers Stability
Best Option: Jordan Melo 9, $140
We don't know of any player who enjoys their foot moving around in their shoes as they're playing. That's just not a preference. While this is totally dependent on your foot type (wide, skinny, high arch, flat feet, etc.), the stability in the uppers of your basketball shoe can not only prevent injuries to your foot, but it tell your feet they don't have to worry about slippage or movement because your shoe has a tight grip on them. Thus prompting them to use all of their muscles to your benefit. Not having to ease up on a cut or stop due to apprehensiveness can do wonders for your game, bruh.
Cushioning
Best Option: Under Armour Spine Predator, $110
One of the most important things about playing in your element on the court is being comfortable. The right amount of cushioning is essential. Too little cushioning can lead to sore heels or fallen arches from pounding on the floor. Too much cushioning will give your feet a false sense of security and can lead to stretch fractures and strains. Perfect cushioning gives you stability throughout your foot, making your jumps, cuts, and stops more comfortable. And when your jumps are more comfortable, you can do things like this.
Lightweight
Best Options: Nike Kobe 8 System, $140
This is pretty self-explanatory. If you're a big man or a power forward, lightweight shoes may not be as important to you. But they should. Your mobility up and down the court can be attributable to the shoes you're lugging around on your feet. Adidas has a few models that are proud of their feather-like weight system, especially ones that still provide the support you need.
Traction
Best Option: Jordan CP3.VI AE, $85
Lockdown defense. Quick slashes to the hole. Pivoting on the dime. All of these things require one of the most important facets of a basketball sneaker: good traction. There's even such thing as too much traction because jamming your toes into your shoes can be a bitch. But the perfect traction can allow you to do wondrous things on the court like Chris Paul and his lauded Jordan CP.VI AE. Pretty much all other features of your shoe are nullified if you have poor traction. If you can't come to a quick stop, you can't play adequately. Point blank.
Great Looks
Best Options: Nike LeBron XI "Gamma Blue", $200 (Available November 16)
Let's be honest, if you aren't confident when you're stepping onto the court, nerves and anxiousness will get the best of you. One way to ensure you feel right stepping on that court is stepping on that court with a pair of kicks that will intimidate your opponents. If they know you're up on the illest basketball sneakers, they have no reason not to think you're up on your game, too.